Switch-stand-handle lock



April 27 19276. i f 1,582,774 7 W C. N'ELSON I SWITCH 'sTAyn HANDLE LOCK I Filed August. '7, 1925 2 Shqets-Shee t 2.

['5 D I 1 G B 1 'wa lwa V I ,l II I I: I I I l 1' 1 I I Q 12' L I 1,. J 1' ATTORNEY NTOR WITN55:

iatented Apr. 27, 1926 UNITED S'ETES CLAUDE NELSON, OF PUEBLO, COLORADO.

SWITCH-STANDHANDLE LOCK.

Application filed August 7, 1925. Serial No. 48,851-

paratus, smrticulzzrly to switchstands and L I has ior its obgect the provision ot a novel locking device designed for use in holding the handle against accidenta movement.

It is well known that the ordinary type 01": switchstand supporting a rotatable shaft for throwing switch mechanisms is pro ided with an operating lever which depends, when in normal or inoperative position, and which is engaged within a notch in a guide plate. Ordinarily, here is provided means for attaching a padlock whereby to hold the handle in position and Jrevent it from accidentally springing out of the notch within which it is engaged. Switchmen very frequently neglect or forget to replace the lock and as a coi'isequence the jarring of a passing train may cause the handle to jump out of the notch with the possible result that the switch is opened and a serious derailment caused.

It is with the above facts in view that I have designed the present invention which has for its object the provision of a very simply and easily operated latch or look device permanently mounted upon the switch stand and cooperating with the handle for the purpose of holding the latter in its locked position within a notch in the guide plate so that it cannot possibly become accidentally displaced.

An important objectis the provision of a device of this character which may be applied either to old or new style switchst-ands by making certain slight modifications.

Another object is the provision of a device of this character which is so constructed and arranged that it may be easily operated in the dark or in cold weather when brakemen and switchmen wear thick clumsy gloves which would interfere seriously with the manipulation of padlocks and the like.

An additional object is the provision of a device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install, positive in action, eflicient and durabie in service, and a general improvement in the art.

lVith the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invent-ion consists in the details of construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which 1 Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a switchstand and handle thereon, my invention being shown in applied position.

Figure 2 is a vertical section therethrough, the release position of the locking device and the operative position of the handle being shown by dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a plan view.

Figure i is a detail perspective view of the attaclnnent alone.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a portion of a switchstand of the old style showing the application of the invention thereto, and

Figure 6 is a top plan view thereof.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and especially Figures 1 to i, the letter A designates a portion of a switchstand having the usual guide plate B provided at its periphery with notches C and 1) within either of which may be engaged the handle E which is pivoted at F within a bracket G secured upon the vertical shaft H provided for operating the switch throwing mechanism, not shown. As is well kno vn, the handle E is provided with an apertured ear I within which is ordinarily engaged the shackle of a padlock provided for the purpose of holding the handle E down and preventing it from being moved upwardly into switch throwing position.

In carrying out the present invention, I orovide a latching or locking device which in actual practice may consist of a block 10 of suitable material located within the bracket device G and pivoted thereto near one end as for instance by means of a transverse bolt 11 or the like. One end of this block is preferably bevelled 0E or cut-away as indicated at 12 so as to permit it to swing to a limited extent before coming into contact with that portion of the bracket G secured to the shaft H. Extending through the opposite corner of the block is an operating mean which may preferably consist of an elongated rod 13 movable along arcuate slots 14: formed in the sides of the bracket G as clearly indicated in the drawings. Both ends of this rod 13 project be yond the bracket G and either end may be grasped for the purpose of lifting the block 10 and swinging it upon its pivot 11 out of the way of the lever E so that the latter may be swung upwardly into the switch throwing position as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2. Subsequent to the movement of the locking block into its released position shown by dotted lines in Figure 2, and upward swinging movement of the lever or handle E, the handle may be turned to rotate the shaft H and subsequent to the turning movement through an arc of 90 degr es the handle is permitted to engage within the other one of the notches C or D, as the case may be. However, the present invention is not concerned with the switch throwing mechanism or the operation of any f the parts thereof inasmuch as it relates only to the locking device constituted by the parts 10 to 14: inclusive.

The above described mechanism is the used in connection with switchstands of the modern or new style although as a matter of fact the invention is equally well capanle of application to switchstands of the old style as indicated in Figures 5 and 6. Referring to these figures, I have shown 6X actly the same locking device 10 equipped with the operating rod 13. Ho vever, in this form the pivot bolt 11 above referred to is omitted and is replaced by a hinge in dicated at 15, which has one leaf secured to the block 10 and pivoted be ween knuckles J on the stand, the hinge having its other leaf 1%.) upturned so as to constitute a stop engageable with a portion of the shaft H or operating element thereon for the purpose of limiting the Swinging movement of the block. The operation of this form is of course exactly the same as that of the first described form and a further elaboration is consequently believed to be unnecessary.

In both forms of the invention, it will be apparent that when the switch is in one position or the other, and the handle E depending and in engagement with a notch C or D, as the case may be, with the block resting against the handle, it will be quite impossible for the handle to be moved out of engagement within its retaining notch unless the holding block is first swung upwardly into its released position. Gbviously, this will result in reduction of likelihood of accidents inasmuch as the jarring of passing train cannot cause the lever to jump out of the notch as may occur in case the device is not used. Anothe point of advantage is that when the block has been swung up varr'lly out of engagement with the lever, it will automatically drop into its locking position when released, no manual manipulation being required to efiect the holding. Another distinct feature of importance is that the rod members which extend through and which project beyond the sides of the holding block may be easily grasped even though the brakeman or switclnnan is wearing heavy clumsy, mittens which might operate seriously with the ma nipulation of padlochs or other holding means commonly provided.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings, it will be apparent that i have thus provided a simply constructed, inexpensive and highly etlicient device for the purpose specified which will be a great safe-guard to the travelling public and which will reduce likelihood of derailment owing to carelessness or the inetficiency of operators.

l il ile .l have shown and described the pro tel-red embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and a 'rangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

In a switchstand including a support and an operating shaft journaled therethrough and further including a bracket member secured to the shaft and carryinga pivotally mounted opera-ting handle, the combination with the bracket and handle of locking means pivotally mounted upon the bracket and normally engaging against the handle for holding the latter against movement, said holding means comprising a block pivoted at one corner within the confines of the bracket and having its free end normally in the path of travel of the handle, means carried by the block for effecting movement thereof into released position, the sides of the bracket being formed with arcuate slots permitting operation of the operating member.

2. In combination with a railroad switchstand having a normally depending pivotally mounted operating handle connected with a bracket, means mounted within the bracket normally holding the handle against movementcoi'nprising a block pivotally mounted at one end within the bracket and having its other end normally in the path f travel of the handle, a rod extending transversely through the free end of the block and serving as a handle, the rod projecting through arcuate slots in both sides of the bracket and projecting outwardly and beyond the same.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CLAUDE NELSON. 

